Chapter 5

Chapter Five

T he Gardiners arrived precisely on time the next day. Much to his surprise, Darcy found himself anxiously awaiting their arrival, in particular looking forward to seeing Miss Gardiner again. Georgiana was to join them, at least for a part of the visit, and Darcy wanted his sister to meet this young lady. Though they were several years apart in age, Darcy felt Georgiana would benefit from befriending the older girl.

“Welcome,” Darcy said as the Gardiners disembarked from the carriage. After Mr. Gardiner helped his wife down, Darcy stepped forward to assist Miss Gardiner and led her into the house. Once inside, servants helped them remove their outerwear, and Darcy noticed the slight bruising around Miss Gardiner’s wrists and on one cheek. Her hands were clean, though like his, they possessed a few defensive wounds. Once again, Darcy felt an immense sense of release that he had come upon her and Wickham the day before and even more so that he had arrived before Wickham could have caused more damage to the young girl.

This done, Darcy escorted his guests into the drawing room where his father and sister waited. He performed the introductions, and soon, the elder members of the party were in a deep discussion, while Georgiana and Elizabeth spoke of accomplishments Georgiana was only beginning to learn.

Since Darcy was not directly involved in either conversation, he quietly observed his guest and his sister as they spoke. To his astonishment, Miss Gardiner effortlessly drew out his usually reserved sister, and a quick friendship blossomed between them. He had noticed this same quality in Miss Gardiner the day before, when they travelled to Lambton. Despite their brief acquaintance, their conversation had flowed with surprising ease, putting him at ease in her presence.

Darcy was unaccustomed to feeling so at ease with a lady upon first acquaintance. The sensation was unfamiliar, yet being around Miss Gardiner felt natural, almost instinctive. Before he could dwell on the matter any longer, someone addressed him directly, pulling him from his thoughts.

“Brother, Miss Gardiner has never learned to ride. Do you think you could teach her while she is in the area?” Georgiana looked at her brother, her eyes filled with anticipation, even eagerness, as she made her request.

“Miss Gardiner, I would gladly teach you if you care to learn. My father suggested last night that we invite you and your family to stay with us at Pemberley for the rest of your stay. I have little doubt that this is the subject of their conversation even now. If you wish to learn, it could easily be arranged,” Darcy offered.

He saw trepidation in her face, and he reached out to touch her hand. “Miss Gardiner, the decision is entirely up to you, but I can guarantee that we will take excellent care of you.”

“If my uncle agrees to your father’s request, I will allow you to teach me. I am uncertain how good of a student I will be, but I will try. I do not have a riding habit, so I do not know if that will prevent me from learning,” Elizabeth said quietly, in a voice less confident than the one she ordinarily used.

“You will not need a riding habit. Do not let that stop you from learning. It is a useful skill and even living in London, you may find there are opportunities for you to ride at other times,” Darcy implored, and Elizabeth nodded her agreement.

Just then, the elder Darcy stood and walked to where the young people were standing. “Miss Gardiner, your uncle agreed to my request that you all stay at Pemberley for the rest of your visit. However, I have a few questions for you, and I would like you to join your uncle and me in my study. Son, I would appreciate it if you would join us as well. Mrs. Gardiner has offered to keep Georgiana company while we speak.”

Darcy looked over at his companion before speaking. The only thing that betrayed her anxiousness about this conversation was a slight indrawn breath that she could not hide. Intuitively, he realised his father had not noticed it. He offered the young lady his arm as he led her to his father’s study behind the others. It quavered slightly, and he lifted his free hand to apply light pressure on hers in a comforting gesture.

“All will be well,” he whispered, his voice soft but reassuring. “I spoke with my father yesterday after returning from delivering you to your uncle. At last, he listened to what I have been trying to tell him for years about Wickham. Your uncle is determined to hold Wickham accountable, without bringing undue attention to you or tarnishing your reputation. I am certain this is what all of this is about.” He paused, concern evident in his eyes. “How are you holding up after everything that happened yesterday?”

She drew in a breath and Darcy watched as she closed her eyes for a moment. Without thought, his free hand once again came up to press hers. “You do not have to speak of the incident if you do not wish it. ”

“I am well enough,” she breathed. “Although I spent most of my childhood wandering the countryside near my family home, I never imagined that I would encounter a situation like that. My uncle warned me to be careful when I was out walking, but the innkeeper assured me I would be safe enough. He did not cause any lasting harm to me.”

Darcy scoffed. “While I have little doubt the outward signs of your encounter will not be lasting, I feel certain you will remember this far longer. Acting as though it never happened will not help you heal.”

Elizabeth tilted her head to look at the man standing beside her. “How do you know that?”

“Though I was only fourteen when my mother died, the memories of her loss have never faded. Pretending that I was well only prolonged the pain. It was Mrs. Reynolds who taught me it is better to confront such wounds rather than hide them away.”

“I am grateful for my aunt and uncle,” Elizabeth began softly, “but I have often felt like an orphan, a burden rather than a true part of their family. It has been difficult, being cast aside by my own parents as I was, and I have not wanted to trouble others with my concerns.” Once again, she found herself confiding in Darcy with an ease that surprised her.

A silence settled between them, filled with the weight of shared vulnerabilities. As they reached the study, Darcy gave her hand a final reassuring squeeze before releasing it. The elder Darcy and Mr. Gardiner had already taken their seats, awaiting the pair.

“Miss Gardiner,” Mr. Darcy began with a gentle but firm tone, “our purpose here is to ensure justice is served and your honour is preserved. Your uncle and my son have spoken to me about what happened with my godson yesterday, and I agree it is wise to speak to the magistrate on your behalf. The magistrate may want to speak to you, but your uncle will be there with you when he does so. Your uncle will also move your family to Pemberley, so we might offer our protection until Wickham is caught. ”

Elizabeth could not hide her gasp at that statement. “Am I in danger?”

“It is merely a precaution, Miss Gardiner. We can better protect you and your family here at Pemberley, should Wickham attempt to get his revenge once he learns my father will no longer support him,” Darcy spoke before his father could.

Elizabeth nodded, her expression resolute yet vulnerable. She looked first at the younger gentleman beside her as though for reassurance, before nodding and turning to speak to the father. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I appreciate your kindness and assistance in this matter.”

Mr. Gardiner leaned forward, his face etched with concern. “Elizabeth, you must know that none of this is your fault. We will handle this with the utmost discretion to preserve your reputation. We are far from London, and it seems that people in Lambton and the surrounding areas are well aware of Wickham’s behaviour.

Elizabeth’s eyes flickered with gratitude. “Thank you, Uncle. Your support means more to me than I can express.”

Darcy’s father nodded. “You are under the protection of my family now, Miss Gardiner. We will see this through together.”

As the conversation turned to practical matters of dealing with Wickham, the young Darcy watched Elizabeth closely. Despite the gravity of the situation, he felt a glimmer of hope that he had not felt since his mother died. When he looked into her eyes, he silently vowed to stand by her, no matter what challenges lay ahead.

After luncheon, the magistrate arrived as invited and he spoke first to the elder Mr. Darcy and Mr. Gardiner, before inviting the younger Darcy and Elizabeth to join them. The two young people shared their versions of what happened the previous day while the magistrate took notes.

“Fortunately, George Wickham is well known in this area and has few friends,” he said, casting a wary glance at the Master of Pemberley. “Once it becomes known that Mr. Darcy is withdrawing his support, there will be several others who will be interested in helping ensure he is caught quickly and punished,” the magistrate said once Elizabeth finished telling her story. “It is possible that what he did to you will not even need to be mentioned in light of these other claims.”

Darcy noticed his father’s face at these words and wondered if he was feeling shame or some other strong emotion. He wondered how the conversation between his father and the magistrate had gone earlier and felt grateful that he had not been a party to it. Knowing his father prided himself on being a good landlord and diligent landowner, it must be difficult for him to hear that the people in town had known of Wickham’s misdeeds, but had feared saying anything to him about them because of the perception that he would protect his godson over them. Darcy was unsure if he could broach this topic with his father later, but hoped his father would bring it up so he would not have to.

Soon, the magistrate departed, and Mr. Gardiner returned to the inn to arrange payment and for their belongings to be packed and brought to Pemberley. His wife accompanied him, but Miss Gardiner and Georgiana made plans to walk around the gardens. The younger Mr. Darcy joined the girls, both to provide protection, but also because he enjoyed their company. The three walked around the gardens of Pemberley for an hour, speaking of the flowers they saw, the history of the estate and gardens, and anything else of interest to the trio.

They returned indoors when they saw the carriage with the Gardiners and their luggage arriving. A servant showed Elizabeth to her room, where she dressed for dinner, and then she joined the family again for dinner. Dinner was lively and interesting, as the two families became better acquainted.

After the meal, they gathered in the library since it had been mentioned at dinner how much Elizabeth enjoyed reading. She and the Gardiners were astounded by the collection of books in that room .

“You may have to drag me from this room when it is time to leave,” Elizabeth said with a smile at her host. “I have never seen such a grand space, filled with so many books. I cannot decide whether I prefer it to Hatchards, but at least here I might be able to look at any book I like!”

The elder Darcy grinned. “You are welcome to read any book you wish, and even take them to your chambers to read them there instead of being confined to this room. We have a similar library in our house in town, although perhaps not quite as large, and when we are in town, you should visit us. Fitzwilliam will be at Cambridge for a time, so we will travel to London in the autumn. Georgiana and I will stay for a month or two before returning to Pemberley for the holidays, and we will all be in London again for the spring. We will invite your family for a visit when you are in town, and we would be delighted to have you all come again next summer. Perhaps then you will bring your other children, Gardiner.”

Darcy was surprised by this invitation, but did his best to mask it. When Mr. Gardiner nodded, he stood and made his way toward Elizabeth.

“I do hope you will visit us in London,” he said. “The library there is not as large as this one, but still, it is enjoyable. Might I make a recommendation for something to read?”

He suppressed a smile when Elizabeth smiled up at him in reply, and he led her to a shelf containing several novels he had read to Georgiana. “I know that you mentioned enjoying reading novels. Have you read Robinson Crusoe ?” he asked.

“I started it once, but I was not able to finish it,” she said, her voice saddened, causing Darcy to look at her carefully. Right as I had started it, I was forced to leave Longbourn. I had not picked it back up since my uncle did not own it, but perhaps now would be a good time to start it again. ”

“Georgiana and I read it last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a favourite of my father’s as well, so it would be enjoyable if we read it aloud in the evenings. Of course, you are welcome to read it on your own, if you prefer.”

Her smile warmed him. “I would be delighted to hear it read aloud. You and your father have similar voices, and I think they could be rather soporific when reading a novel.”

He laughed lightly. “I am uncertain I have ever been told I am boring quite so charmingly,” he teased.

Elizabeth brought her hand up to cover her mouth as she giggled. “That is not at all what I meant, sir.”

“Come, Miss Gardiner, I will make the suggestion to my father and see what he says. If our elders agree, then we might read for an hour or so before we all retire.”